Monday, January 29, 2007

Temperature in Miami -- Balmy 75 degrees!

I'm heading down to Miami for Superbowl weekend.

Not that I knew the Superbowl was going to be played at Dolphin Stadium this year. Neither did the Countess duBarry or any of my other friends who were planning on just going to the beach, attending duBarry's "Tiaras at the Palace" party, and just hanging out at The Palace with Ditmar and Alexis. I guess if it was a fashion show, we might have been paying more attention.

Now ESPN has set up shop right across the street from The Palace on Ocean Drive.


Ocean Drive itself is blocked off for the Motorola Mile for three days. "In yet another "what it feels like to be in the NFL" type event, Ocean Drive between Fifth and 15th streets will shut down to vehicle traffic to create the Motorola Mile. Visitors can take a walk through exhibits highlighting Super Bowl milestones and step onto an interactive football field that allows a chance to experience scoring the winning touchdown or simply perform an end-zone dance. "

On February 3, 350 fashion models from around the world face off in Volleypalooza, a volleyball tournament billed as the "sexiest sporting event of the year. This event takes place on the beautiful white sand beach at 8th Street and Ocean Drive"

Every celebrity you can name will probably be in attendance. I am actually looking forward to sitting at one of the outside tables at The Palace and people watching. It sounds like it might be a little like a Roman coliseum event. Which door will have the lady and which door will have the tiger? I'll make sure to have my camera ready to record all the fun.
Countess Bedelia 1/29/2007 09:27:00 PM | 3 comments |

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Here's a funny one....

Woo Hoo!! My blogger pal Hoss, the Old Horsetail Snake, posted this link on his blog and I had to share with all of you.

If you want to see Hillary and Condoleezza go at it in a "ho down" showdown, click here.
Countess Bedelia 1/24/2007 01:23:00 PM | 3 comments |

Sunday, January 21, 2007

A New York weekend...

The Countess had a fabulous time in New York City over the past few days. The Countess duBarry had her coach bring her in to attend The Apple Tree starring Kristin Chenoweth. A most delightful musical which shows off Kristin's singing and comedic talents to perfection. We did manage to wander into a couple of drinking establishments after the show. Rumors that I picked up two hot lesbians are completely unfounded!! Unfortunately duBarry had to return to her castle the next day but my friend Cat arrived from Albany to join in the fun.

Kristin's concert at The Met on Friday night was a triumph for her. The range of her voice is incredible. She sang Broadway showtunes including Popular from Wicked, opera arias, and even a country song. It was a complete evening of entertainment. Bette Midler was in the audience which caused a bit of a stir for all of us star struck audience members.


Saturday night was the final performance of Suddenly Last Summer which starred Blythe Danner, Carla Gugino, and Gale Harold who so brilliantly portrayed the character of Brian Kinney in Queer as Folk. Gale is as beautiful in person as he seemed on our TV sets. He graciously signed programs for the many fans who waited in the bitter cold to see him after the show. SLS has been playing a limited run which opened last November.

Countess Bedelia 1/21/2007 09:10:00 PM | 4 comments |

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Back to Broadway!

I'm off to New York City to meet up with friends, see some plays, and attend Kristen Chenoweth's concert at The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center.

The first time I saw Kristen on Broadway was also the first time I saw WICKED. I was dazzled by her performance as Galinda. Years before she had starred in a television production of "The Music Man" with Matthew Broderick. She was a new talent then but I never forgot her performance or her incredible singing voice.


For almost a decade Kristin Chenoweth has dazzled Broadway audiences with her brilliant singing and magnetic appeal, winning a Tony Award in the process. Now the famed star of Wicked and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown brings her distinctive vocal charm to the Metropolitan Opera, where she takes the stage in a one-night-only solo show,
Kristin Chenoweth: Live at the Met.

The January 19, 2007, performance—only the third concert by a musical theater performer to be presented by the Met, following Barbara Cook's solo show last January and a 1982 engagement by Yves Montand—will feature a mix of signature songs, new selections, and opera arias.

Kristen is currently starring in "The Apple Tree" and they are closing that show on Friday night so that she can give her concert at The Met.


It's an irresistible combination: Vivacious Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth plays three distinct roles in a trio of one-act musicals from the songwriting team of Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me. It's The Apple Tree, back on Broadway for the first time in 40 years in a Roundabout Theatre Company production at Studio 54. The revival also marks Chenoweth's return to the Broadway stage two years after her acclaimed performance as Glinda in Wicked and her jump into movies (RV) and television (The West Wing).



This production of The Apple Tree is based on a 2005 staged concert for the New York City Center Encores! series, which won raves for its petite star. Chenoweth plays Eve, Princess Barbara and Ella in musicals based on Mark Twain's The Diary of Adam and Eve, Frank R. Stockton's The Lady or the Tiger? and Jules Feiffer's Passionella, respectively. With a lovely score and witty book by the legendary Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, The Apple Tree is a must-see revival for lovers of musical theater.

You can watch a video from the play here.
Countess Bedelia 1/16/2007 09:53:00 AM | 4 comments |

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Are you ready for some football?

Ever since I realized that I will be in Miami during Super Bowl weekend when the big game is played in Dolphins Stadium, my love of football has been rekindled.

It started many years ago when my son played cowboys and indians with a neighborhood boy who ended up being a two time Pro Bowl selection and a two time Super Bowl winner.



Mark Bavaro's most well known play is described here in a Monday Night Football broadcast in 2005: "On Dec. 1, 1986, New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro cements his reputation as one of the toughest men in the NFL. With the Giants trailing, Bavaro catches an innocent pass from Phil Simms over the middle. It takes nearly seven 49ers defenders to finally drag him down, some of which are carried for almost 20 yards, including future Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Bavaro’s inspiring play jump starts the Giants, who win the game and eventually the Super Bowl. "

It is so exciting to root for a boy who you watched grow up. Occasionally when my son and Mark end up in the same town (not too often since everyone is scattered around the country), they still get together and reminisce about sleepovers and hanging out when they were kids....and, yes, the Super Bowl ring is very impressive!


My grandson played football from when he was a little tyke in the Pop Warner League through 4 years of varsity high school at a Division 1 private prep school. There is nothing like watching the home team march down the field, down after down, to make the touchdown...or better yet, the long pass, the catch, and the rush to the goal line.

Today the New England Patriots are in San Diego, two games away from another Super Bowl championship. We will be watching and rooting for the home team today.


Tom Brady, our quarterback, is looking very limber here at practice doing some stretches. Will he lead his team to victory today? Tune in at 4 pm EST to find out.

In the immortal words of John Madden:

"Are you ready for some football?"

ETA: Patriots 24 - San Diego 21

Next week it's Indianapolis Colts vs. the Patriots.

One more game to win to go to the Super Bowl!

Countess Bedelia 1/14/2007 12:02:00 PM | 4 comments |

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

More Prezzies!!

Thank you, Ian.



My darling Ian made a Countess portrait and sent it to me for my birthday. He made me all sparkly and beautiful and I love him so much for seeing me that way.

Thank you, Countess duBarry!

The topiary flower arrangement in the picture was created by the fabulous Countess duBarry. Thank you, duBarry, for bringing me so many beautiful flowers. They brighten up my home and office.

Countess Bedelia 1/10/2007 09:17:00 AM | 4 comments |

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

The Ladies Lunch at the HuffPo today.

"But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best." President Bush at a White House press conference April 18, 2006.


The Lame Duck cartoon from "George W, The Son King" by Mike Datar.


"The president of the United States does not have the sense God gave a duck -- so it's up to us. You and me, Bubba. " Molly Ivins pulls no punches in her latest column.

"When it comes to the White House's latest "new approach" to Iraq, we are definitely entering "the lunatics have taken over the asylum" territory. Psychiatric literature defines delusional thinking as "false or irrational beliefs maintained despite clear evidence to the contrary." Sound like any commander-in-chief you know?" Arianna Huffington wants to play "Deal, No Deal" with the Quacker in her latest column.

"The President is sending 20,000 more troops so that he can postpone coming to terms with reality, which is that this war is a catastrophe. " Nora Ephron blames a bad haircut in her latest column.

Dogs always have good instincts.

Countess Bedelia 1/09/2007 10:03:00 AM | 5 comments |

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Anyone remember Harriet Miers?

The former Bush nominee for the Supreme Court resigned today. You can read about it in this Washington Post Article.



According to an article from the HuffPo columnist, Melinda Henniberger, Harriet got her job by writing effusive letters to Dubya exclaiming his 'coolness' with exclamation points. "Texas has a very popular governor and first lady!" she wrote, in one of the many fan letters she sent George W. Bush in the years since he named her to the Texas Lottery Commission in 1995. "Hopefully,'' she said in another note, "Jenna and Barbara recognize that their parents are 'cool' - as do the rest of us." Job seekers everywhere stand in awe.

But now Dubya is preparing for the new Democratic majority to start questioning his dubious honesty and credibility and he needs a good lawyer. So Harriet, who was once good enough for the Supreme Court, is not good enough to defend Dubya from charges that he is not "cool".

I leave you with a few 'Bushisms' to tickle your funny bone:

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." —Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004

"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." —Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2000

"I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn't do my job." —to a group of Amish he met with privately, July 9, 2004

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it." —Philadelphia, Penn., May 14, 2001

"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." —Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002

"I'm the commander — see, I don't need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president." —as quoted in Bob Woodward's Bush at War

I'm sure my dear friend Mrs. Astor will agree that anyone this dumb should be fed to the alligators.

Countess Bedelia 1/06/2007 12:13:00 AM | 3 comments |

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Happy New Year!


The Countess was joined by the Countess duBarry, Jimmy, Mr. Brian, and Bennett at the New Year's Eve festivities in the Club Cafe in Boston. We were out for an evening of dining and dancing and general mayhem which always seems to be the way it is when we get together. The Countess duBarry provided us with her fancy, feathered glasses. We were the envy of the club.




It was a big surprise to me when the waitress brought over a fabulous birthday cake with sparklers lighting up the room. On top of the cake is a beautiful shoe, adorned with jewels by duBarry, to keep my cell phone in. Then Michelle, the piano player, led the whole room in singing Happy Birthday to me. Thank you, dear duBarry, for a most wonderful surprise!


Mr. Brian certainly enjoyed the cake!



We dined on so many courses that I lost count, but everything was delicious. By the time we finished our dinner, it was time to count down to midnight.

Dancing was the next item on the agenda.

The boys never lost sight of the Countess as I had my magic sceptor (Ian, don't be toooo jealous of my bejeweled wand!!) waving in the air for all to see. I sprinkled fairy dust on everyone for good luck in the new year.

We didn't get back to the Castle Bedelia until the wee hours of the morning; a little tired but happy and still laughing like children!

Countess Bedelia 1/02/2007 04:41:00 PM | 4 comments |